Saturn: Frigid Moon Titan Has Earth-Like Features

First Posted: Nov 05, 2015 12:31 PM EST

Since Saturn's frigid moon Titan has several earth-like features, NASA researchers have been constantly peering at Titan with the Cassini spacecraft cameras. The researchers believe that there could have recently been potential changes on Titan's surface, according to a news release.

Some of Titan's characteristics are almost identical to earth, however, the frigid moon is still very alien-like.

Titan has lakes, rain (made of methane and ethane), clouds and a sturdy structure made of water ice. One of its most common features is the wide range of dune fields, which are filled with hydrocarbon sands.

Cassini's cameras have constantly monitored Titan's surface from a distance of about 3200 miles (5150 km) during its mission. Earlier this year, Cassini captured an image of Titan on its leading side. The image was obtained at a distance of 450,000 miles (730,000 km) from Titan.

The distant image portrayed a dark H-shaped area containing two of Titan's dune-filled regions, Fensal (north) and Aztlan (south).

The researchers are hoping that possible changes on Titan will allow them to have a better understanding of its winds and dune formation.

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Tagsspace, Cassini Spacecraft, international space station, Titan, Frigid Moon, Cassini, Solar System, Saturn, Moon, deep space missions, Space missions